Finding 1216555 (2024-007)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-06-04

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Internal controls for reviewing and approving expenses are insufficient, leading to potential noncompliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations section 200.303, which mandates effective internal control over federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a review process by a knowledgeable individual to ensure all expenses are properly approved for allowability.

Finding Text

Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.902 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Soil and Water Conservation Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Award Periods: Grant # NR205F48XXXXC006 and period September 30, 2020 through September 30, 2025 and Grant # FAN NR223A750022C002 and period December 21, 2023 through September 30, 2025 Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.912 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Environmental Quality Incentives Program Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Award Periods: Grant # NR205F48XXXXC006 and period September 30, 2020 through September 30, 2025 and Grant # FAN NR223A750022C002 and period December 21, 2023 through September 30, 2025 Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.924 Name of Federal Program or Cluster: Conservation Stewardship Program Name of Federal Agency: Department of Agriculture Award Periods: Grant # NR205F48XXXXC006 and period September 30, 2020 through September 30, 2025 and Grant # FAN NR223A750022C002 and period December 21, 2023 through September 30, 2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations section 200.303 requires a nonfederal entity to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: During out testing of expenses for allowability, we identified transactions where there was no evidence of being reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel for allowability. Cause: The Organization does not have sufficient internal controls implemented for the process of reviewing and approving expenses for allowability. Effect or Potential Effect: A lack of review and approval may result in noncompliance with the requirements of federal programs and/or disallowed costs. Context: A sample of 51 expense transactions was selected for testing for allowability. The testing resulted in 14 transactions that did not have evidence of being reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel for allowability. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend an individual with sufficient knowledge and training should review and approve expenses for allowability with the federal program. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding and they will evaluate our findings to determine an appropriate corrective action. Financial policies and procedures will be created and implemented to ensure expenses are reviewed for allowability with federal programs.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2023-007 ● Criteria or Specific Requirement: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations section 200.303 requires a nonfederal entity to establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. ● Condition: During out testing of expenses for allowability, we identified transactions where there was no evidence of being reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel for allowability. ● Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding and they will evaluate our findings to determine an appropriate corrective action. Financial policies and procedures will be created and implemented to ensure expenses are reviewed for allowability with federal programs.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1216547 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216548 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216549 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216550 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216551 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216552 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216553 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216554 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.912 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM $248,972
10.902 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION $216,941
10.664 COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ASSISTANCE $215,485
10.924 CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM $214,841
15.630 COASTAL PROGRAM $69,105
15.662 GREAT LAKES RESTORATION $8,286